Meeting documents

SBDC Healthy Communities Policy Advisory Group
Thursday, 14th September, 2017 6.00 pm

Minutes:

The PAG received a report inviting comments on a number of recommendations that were to be made to Cabinet in respect of an interim development opportunity for temporary housing for use as emergency accommodation at the Bath Road Depot. Detailed information was available to the PAG in the report provided.

 

It was explained that the temporary units would be built off site and be delivered to site fully fitted ready for occupation and had a lifespan of 60 years. During discussion, it was explained to members that the plans were for 12 units based on pre-application advice due to the land being in the Green Belt and therefore subject to certain policy restrictions. It was to be assessed whether each unit required two parking spaces due to the proximity to the closely linked retail park and good transport links. The planning permission would be temporary for 5 years due to the site being of employment use.

 

The £2.7m figure was an estimated cost used for the purpose of the report. It was clarified that costs could not be confirmed at this stage. Members queried the management fee, subject to negotiation of 50% rental contribution and the PAG was advised that it would be the housing association who would manage the risks of tenants’ not paying, damage to the property and dealing with daily issues that arise. The PAG asked that this level of management fee be looked at carefully before committing.

 

Note: Cllr Matthews left the meeting at 6.45 p.m.

 

Having considered the advice of the PAG, and taking the above comments into account the Portfolio Holder RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that:

1.      Proposals to design, build and install temporary accommodation units at Bath Road Depot for a period of 5 years be agreed.

2.      Subject to contract, the Council purchases 801 Bath Road, Taplow and adjacent land, using money available from the approved capital programme and the Head of Environment in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Portfolio Holder for Resources to be authorised to finalise the terms and conclude the purchase.

3.      It be noted that Management Team has agreed an exception to the Contract Procedure Rules to appoint a Project Manager or other consultants through the Scape framework to undertake a feasibility study to design, build and install the temporary accommodation units at Bath Road Depot.

4.      Subject to planning consent and the final business plan it be delegated to the Head of Healthy Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Healthy Communities and Resources the authority to proceed with the development of temporary units for use as emergency accommodation on the Bath Road depot site including authority for the Head of Environment in consultation with the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to negotiate and conclude any necessary agreements to allow the development to proceed through to completion.

5.      The appointment of a Registered Provider to manage the emergency accommodation provided on the Bath Road site and any adjacent land for a period of up to 5 years on terms to be agreed by the Head of Healthy Communities in consultation with the Portfolio Holders for Healthy Communities and Resources be authorised.

6.      The Director of Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities be authorised to draw down up to £2.7m of s106 funding to enable the Bath Road temporary housing project to progress.